Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly.
— by Rachel Lyman Field,
from Something told the wild geese
Tomorrow’s Sacred Space
For a thousand generations we’ve welcomed their return to the spring-fed lake when their wintering grounds told them to fly home. Their petroglyphs skein the cave walls. Migratory residents, they’re also an essential part of the ecosystem; where we depend on, nourish, and find stability in each other.
The community resides deep within undisturbed and protected lands; our ancestors’ tribal home. The usurpers’ campaign on distant swaths of Mother has left diseased angry patches; yet Grandfather Sun graces our continuing because of places like this.
One pink dawn they were the first to hear chainsaws and bulldozers. The ravening beasts’ roars are unmistakable to them as seasoned travelers. This something told the wild geese it was time to fly. To where will they wander?
They leave us a sign: their feathers, to fletch arrows. We will fight for their tomorrow’s sacred space.
[142 words]
top image link feather collection by Mary Jo Hoffman
Kim is today’s host of dVerse’ Prosery, where she asks us to write a story of up to 144 words (not including title) using the top quote.
Tao Talk 
The first thing I saw was the image by Mary Jo Hoffman, which is the perfect illustration for your Prosery, Lisa. I love that you went back in history and the petroglyphs that ‘skein the cave walls’. How awful that the ‘undisturbed and protected land’, the ancestors tribal home, was destroyed by chainsaws and bulldozers!
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Kim, thank you very much. Their sacred space still stands for now, and it will continue to if we decide to fight back against those evil machines that destroy with impunity.
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You’re most welcome, Lisa.
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With its nod to the deep past, this is a potent reminder of the fragility of all life, and how we as but one of many species on the earth have caused so much extinction of life forms here. Thank you, Lisa. Beautiful writing.
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Steve, thank you for your thoughtful comment. Happy to know you likewise share those perspectives.
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You’re welcome, Lisa. 🙏🏼🐾🌎
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A riveting write, Lisa, borne of a deep unassailable reverence for “sacred space,” “protected lands,” that have belonged to long generations of inhabitants. Loved your distinctive use of skein — “Their petroglyphs skein the cave walls”– invoking a continuity from the distant past to the present, a continuity that is under threat, but will fiercely fought for. Love how you unfold the tale!
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Dora, thank you for your wonderful feedback. Much appreciated <3
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My pleasure, Lisa. ❤
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Great message here, Lisa. You’ve captured what sacred space is all about. It has earned the right to not be infringed upon.
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Exactly, Bruce. Thank you.
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All land is sacred space for nature…(K)
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<3
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Great one with a great lesson…but no one listens.
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:(
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A wonderful piece. I love the line “One pink dawn they were the first to hear chainsaws and bulldozers.” and the image it evoked for me, the very first to hear the mad buzz of their future. Loved it.
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Chris, thank you <3
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Bravo! Well said, Lisa!
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Carol, thank you!
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I’m not familiar with your history, I think those ancients should be able to remain France has simulated their caves for tourists to visit. I think of also of the song, “Pink Cadillac ” and its words “put up a parking lot, , , “ Also how destruct of the buildings holding artifacts the ISIS was when they swept through Persia. Knowledge helps us appreciate the ancient times and historic relics.
..
Jim
..
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Jim, thanks for the interesting comment. I learned a long time ago that “new and improved” is a faulty way of looking at the world. I think you are thinking of “Yellow Taxi” not “Pink Cadillac” but maybe you were trying to be funny? Happy Tuesday, Jim!
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We have a way to “develop” with a ferocity that is beyond understanding. Eventually this way we do it will come back to bite us.
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A very moving story Li. Man unfortunately has to meddle in everything.
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:(
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🥲
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Such a sad story. If only people would learn to live in tune with nature and its rhythms. Maybe it us who need to hear the voices of the wild.
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So true, Suzanne. I remember reading your book and thinking the same thing.
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What a lovely comment Lisa. I’m glad you enjoyed my book and got something out of it. Thanks for letting me know. :)
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You’re welcome and my pleasure. I truly love the world you created.
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That’s amazing. I’ve been so down about that book lately and have withdrawn it from publication. Maybe it’s time to take another look at it and do something with it.
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Suzanne, please don’t withdraw it from publication.
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This is such a timely conversation. Thanks so much Lisa. You are making aware of work I have to do. I’m thinking I’ll re-read the book and make a few edits then see if I can get it published.
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<3 <3 <3
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A great perspective to write from imo. That itself helps reclaim the sacred space to an extent.
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OP, much appreciated and thank you for your thoughts.
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HI Lisa, a strong and passionate piece of writing.
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Robbie, thank you very much. Where you live, I’m sure you can relate to humans messing with habitats for non-humans.
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Yes, very much so. Even the national parks are fully marked by humans. There are electricity poles running through them and roads. The powerlines are dangerous for giraffes and even the rhinos headbutt them with is dangerous.
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:( What galls me about the power lines is that they can be run underground and remove that threat to the animals. There are ways we can minimize our impact but it seems there is no urgency felt by the decisionmakers to do so.
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Our government doesn’t have money to fix urgent things like the sewers, water and electricity infrastructure so this wouldn’t be a priority. The roads in the game parks have practically been eroded so it is expected that people won’t be able to self drive in the national parks any more. It is rather a same because the guided tours are expensive.
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Robbie, who funds the guided tours? What do you think about the idea that a certain % of every dollar tourists spend on the tours goes towards making the park safer for the animals with such things as underground electric lines and trained, armed, defenders against poachers?
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Hi Lisa, the national parks are owned by government and the charge visitors to go in. The lodges are mainly private although some are government. The lodges pay for a land concession. The lodges in many parks finance a lot of thinks like anti poaching and veterinarian bills (only for endangered animals like rhinos or wild dogs – the rangers try to keep the parks as natural as possible). Government is supposed to fund infrastructure. Private business and individuals contribute an enormous amount to the conservation of wildlife here in SA.
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All good info to know, Robbie. Appreciate you taking the time to share the logistics of it.
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My pleasure, Lisa. I am very committed to nature conservation.
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With reference to your question, antipoaching is an enormous and expensive task. We loose hundreds of animals to poaching. It is the priority. Power lines don’t kill many animals. That would be a rare tragedy.
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Antipoaching sounds like a great job for ex-military who love animals.
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Yes, they are well trained and committed, but there are so many poachers
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Do you have a “shoot on sight” for the poachers? If not there should be. Sorry, my opinion and not everyone feels that way I’m sure.
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I certainly feel the same way. There is a shoot on sight policy in some parks but it’s not across the board. Obviously, human rights are always a consideration, so it is a sticky area.
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My poetry book, Lion Scream, gives a lot of information about nature conservation statistics. If you’d like an epub copy, email me at sirchoc@outlook.com. I love sharing about my beloved animals.
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Just emailed you :)
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Great, I’ll look for it now.
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I am reminded of the song, “Big Yellow Taxi”, the lines of “Put up a parking lot”, sung by Jodi Mitchell.
COUNTING CROWS – THEY PAVED PARADISE LYRICS (songlyrics.com)
”
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Powerful and evocation, Li. You evoked this sacred space with the petroglyphs on the walls and the insanity of modern times.
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Merril, I appreciate your feedback. Thank you.
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You’re welcome, Li.
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Beautifully done, Lisa. I love the image you chose, too. Perfect combo.
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Dale, thanks very much. Glad you like the photo.
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Thrilled you traveled back in time .. I’ve been reading a bit about Native American myths and lore (geese playing roles) for a book club project. Your prosery is amazing.
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Helen, the readings you’re doing for your book club project sounds very enriching. Would love to know more about the role geese play. Glad you liked the poetry, thank you :)
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I love the ancient wisdom and the spirit to fight for their sacred space in this story, it has hope that the people will fight for the wild geese. Why we as human’s feel the need to destroy the very thing we need to survive is demoralising. Recently here in Queensland the people won a big fight to save wetlands for the Eastern Curlew from developers…it took over 10 years and numerous people writing to the powers that be, protesting and advocating. We can protect this land if we work together may the spirit of the wild geese fuel the spirit to fight!
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<3 <3 <3 Di, your sharing about the fight to save the Eastern Curlew is heartening. You're right, it takes commitment and persistence to get movement in the right direction in saving the sacred (I consider the wetlands sacred space, and they always seem to be under attack) and those who reside there. In Michigan some years back hunters wanted to have a mourning dove season. Enough of the people in the state cared enough to get the matter onto the ballot and we defeated that idea. To me seeing the mourning doves here, in the driveway, in the trees, hearing their calls reaffirmed that commitment and persistence. Yes, the spirits of the wild geese, (Eastern Curlew, and Mourning Doves) will give us the fuel <3
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That is wonderful about the mourning dove. So happy people fought for them, it is so important. It is heartening to hear all that is happening by people all over the world to make change that is positive for our world and sacred spaces. In sharing I think it encourages others to join in wherever they may be. I love it, Makes the heart sing with joy! :)
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